Nigerian Medical Students Freed After Kidnapping
- 20 Nigerian medical students were kidnapped by gunmen.
- The students were abducted while on their way to a convention in Benue State.
- Police successfully rescued the abducted students.
Twenty Nigerian medical students, abducted on August 15 while en route to a conference in Benue State, have been released after more than a week in captivity. The students, from the University of Maiduguri and University of Jos, were taken by gunmen who later demanded a ransom. Nigerian police confirmed their release on Friday, stating that the students were freed without any ransom being paid. Police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi announced that the students were rescued "tactically and professionally" from Ntunkon forest, where they had been held. The release follows the deployment of a "tactical squad" by the country’s police chief, aimed at addressing the rising incidents of abductions in Nigeria, which has seen a surge in such crimes in recent years. Fortune Olaye, secretary-general of the Nigerian Medical Students’ Association (NIMSA), verified the students' safety, stating they had communicated with them via phone. The abduction occurred near Otukpo, a region known for frequent attacks and kidnappings, highlighting the ongoing security challenges in northern Nigeria. The rise in kidnappings is attributed to a severe economic crisis, pushing more individuals towards criminal activities. According to Nigerian consultancy SBM Intelligence, there have been 4,777 recorded kidnappings in Nigeria since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, underscoring the urgent need for effective security measures to combat this growing threat.